There is simply no protest vote available in this election - Jeremy Corbyn ahead of polling day

posted by Claire | 132pc
May 04, 2016

Speaking ahead of his visit to Wales today, Jeremy Corbyn said "When I stood for leader many of the people who got behind my campaign felt that politics had left them, and their communities behind. They came from all walks of life, different ages and different political backgrounds.

“As well as the huge backing from Labour members, others had in recent elections supported the Greens, Liberals or Plaid Cymru – some had not voted at all for many years. What I would say to those people in Wales is that there’s a big choice, and a lot at stake in this election.

The Tories are making no secret of their plan to do a deal with UKIP to try and form a Welsh Government. If that happens, all that progress on issues that matter to you goes under a bus. The NHS, the environment, decent pay, support for young people – a basic commitment to fairness – these are all things that Welsh Labour fight for, day in, day out.

The Tories and Plaid Cymru have said they will charge students in Wales £9,000 fees; they're also talking about massive changes to the NHS which will undermine everything our hard-working doctors and nurses are doing on the front-line. So, I say to all progressive people in Wales – especially those living in those seats that are a straight fight between Labour and the Tories - now is the time to stand with us and give Welsh Labour your support.

“There is simply no protest vote available in this election; too many seats will be too close to call. In the General Election the Tories won in the Vale of Clwyd by 237 votes - and yet 3,401 voted Liberal and Plaid. In the Gower, the Tories won by 27 votes - and yet 5,764 voted Liberal, Plaid and Green.

All our polling and canvassing says these seats will be really tight again, coming down to just a handful of votes. Things can, and will, change. So the choice for the progressive voter is really clear – to make sure there are no UKIP and Tories around the cabinet table in Wales, you need to give your support to the local Labour candidate.”